Carreno Busta/Cuevas Dethrone Colombian Power In Rio

Pablo Carreno Busta wishes every day on the ATP World Tour would be like Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. Hours after completing a stunning comeback to reach the singles final, the Spaniard clinched the Rio Open presented by Claro doubles title with Pablo Cuevas.

Carreno Busta and Cuevas edged defending champions Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 6-4, 5-7, 10-8 in one hour and 29 minutes. The Colombian Power looked to be on their way to a comeback of their own after forcing a Match Tie-break from a set and a break down. But the Spanish-Uruguyan duo would have the last laugh, taking the title on their first championship point.

“I’m very happy,” said Carreno Busta. “It’s always very special to win a title even if it’s a doubles one. It’s very important. I’m sure it’s going to help me tomorrow for my singles final.”

The third-seeded champions earn $94,800 in prize money and 500 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points. Cuevas, the 2016 singles titlist in Rio de Janeiro, won his sixth tour-level doubles crown and first in two years. Carreno Busta, who will face Dominic Thiem in Sunday’s singles final, notched his third doubles title with a third different partner.

“We started very well,” said Cuevas. “In the second set we were a break up, but they started playing better and the Match Tie-break was very close. But in the end we were able to turn it around and win the title.”

Cabal and Farah, meanwhile, were bidding to extend their doubles dynasty at the Jockey Club Brasileiro, having lifted the trophy in both 2014 and 2016. Champions at last week’s Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, they remain in search of their 10th ATP World Tour team title. The Colombians split $46,410 in prize money and 300 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points.